How Do You Make a Call on an Apple Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

Making a call on your Apple Watch is a seamless way to stay connected without reaching for your iPhone. Whether you’re on the go, working out, or simply prefer the convenience of your wrist, the Apple Watch offers a smart, hands-free communication experience. Understanding how to utilize this feature can transform the way you interact with your contacts, making calls quicker and more accessible than ever before.

The Apple Watch is designed to integrate smoothly with your iPhone and cellular network, enabling calls directly from your wrist. This capability not only enhances convenience but also adds a layer of versatility to your daily routine. From voice commands to the intuitive touchscreen interface, there are multiple ways to initiate a call, tailored to fit your lifestyle and preferences.

Exploring how to make a call on your Apple Watch opens up new possibilities for staying in touch effortlessly. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a casual user, mastering this function will empower you to communicate more efficiently. In the following sections, we’ll delve into the various methods and tips to help you make the most of this handy feature.

Making Calls Directly From Your Apple Watch

To make a call directly from your Apple Watch, you first need to ensure that your watch is properly set up with cellular capabilities or is connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. When these conditions are met, initiating a call is straightforward and can be done through multiple methods.

One of the most common ways to place a call is through the Phone app on the Apple Watch. Open the app by tapping its green phone icon on the watch face, then use the Digital Crown or touchscreen to scroll through your contacts or recent calls. Tap the contact or number you want to call, and then press the call button to initiate the connection.

Alternatively, you can use Siri to make hands-free calls. Simply raise your wrist and say, “Hey Siri, call [contact name],” or press and hold the Digital Crown to activate Siri and give your command. This method is especially useful when your hands are occupied or when you want to avoid navigating menus.

You can also make calls from a message thread. When viewing a message on your watch, tap the contact’s name or number at the top, then choose the call option to quickly switch from texting to voice communication.

Using the Contacts and Recent Calls Features

The Apple Watch integrates seamlessly with your iPhone’s contacts and call history, providing quick access to frequently called numbers and recent communications.

  • Contacts: Access your full contact list by opening the Phone app and scrolling through the alphabetically sorted entries. You can also use the search function by tapping the magnifying glass icon and dictating or typing the name.
  • Recent Calls: The Recents tab within the Phone app displays your latest incoming, outgoing, and missed calls. This allows for easy redialing without needing to search through contacts.

Both features help streamline the calling process and reduce the time needed to find the right contact.

Controlling Call Settings on Apple Watch

While making calls on your Apple Watch, several settings can be adjusted to enhance your experience and manage call behavior. These settings are accessible through the Watch app on your paired iPhone or directly on the Apple Watch.

Setting Description How to Adjust
Call Audio Routing Determines whether audio is routed to the watch speaker, connected Bluetooth devices, or iPhone by default. On iPhone: Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Call Audio Routing
Wi-Fi Calling Enables calls over Wi-Fi when cellular or Bluetooth is unavailable. On iPhone: Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling
Do Not Disturb During Calls Silences notifications while on a call to avoid interruptions. On Apple Watch: Swipe up > Control Center > Do Not Disturb
Mute Microphone Mutes your voice during an active call without ending it. Tap the microphone icon during a call on the watch screen.

Adjusting these settings helps tailor your calling experience to your preferences and environment.

Answering and Managing Incoming Calls

When an incoming call arrives on your Apple Watch, you’ll see the caller’s name or number displayed on the screen. You have several options for answering or managing the call:

  • Answer on Apple Watch: Tap the green answer button to take the call directly on your watch. This is convenient when you want a quick conversation without accessing your iPhone.
  • Decline the Call: Tap the red decline button to reject the call.
  • Send a Quick Reply: Scroll down and choose from preset text responses such as “I’ll call you later” or “Can’t talk now,” which will be sent automatically to the caller.
  • Silence the Call: Press the Digital Crown or side button to silence the ringtone without declining the call.

During an active call, you can switch audio output between your Apple Watch, iPhone, or connected Bluetooth devices by tapping the audio source icon on the call screen.

Using Voice Memos and Call Features During a Call

While on a call using your Apple Watch, you have access to several additional features that enhance communication:

  • Mute and Unmute: Tap the microphone icon to mute or unmute your voice.
  • Speaker Control: If your Apple Watch supports speakerphone, audio will be routed through the watch’s speaker by default, allowing for hands-free calls.
  • Volume Adjustment: Use the Digital Crown to increase or decrease call volume easily.
  • Add a Call or Merge Calls: While limited compared to the iPhone, you can initiate a new call by ending the current call and dialing another number, but conference calls must be managed on the paired iPhone.

These features make the Apple Watch a flexible device for managing calls without needing to pull out your iPhone.

Tips for Optimizing Call Quality on Apple Watch

To ensure clear and reliable call quality on your Apple Watch, consider the following tips:

  • Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone within close proximity if not using the cellular model.
  • Use a strong Wi-Fi connection or cellular signal to minimize dropped calls.
  • Regularly update your watchOS and iOS to benefit from the latest performance improvements.
  • Clean the watch speaker and microphone openings to avoid muffled audio.
  • Use Bluetooth accessories like AirPods for improved audio clarity during calls.

By following these recommendations, you can enhance your calling experience and maintain consistent performance on your Apple Watch.

Making a Call on Apple Watch

Using your Apple Watch to make calls offers convenience and efficiency, whether your paired iPhone is nearby or you are relying on the watch’s cellular capabilities. The process varies slightly depending on the model and connectivity options available.

Here are the primary methods to initiate a call on your Apple Watch:

  • Using the Phone app
  • Using Siri voice commands
  • Calling from Contacts or Recents
  • Using the keypad (on cellular models)

Using the Phone App

The Phone app on Apple Watch provides a straightforward interface for making calls:

  1. Press the Digital Crown to access the Home screen.
  2. Tap the Phone app icon.
  3. Use the following tabs within the app:
    • Favorites: Tap a contact to call quickly.
    • Recents: Call recent numbers by tapping them.
    • Contacts: Scroll or search for a contact and tap to call.
  4. Tap the phone icon next to the contact or number to initiate the call.

If your Apple Watch is connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, the call routes through your iPhone. If you have a cellular model with an active plan, the watch can place calls independently.

Using Siri to Make Calls

Siri offers a hands-free and fast way to place calls directly from your Apple Watch. To use Siri:

  • Raise your wrist or press and hold the Digital Crown to activate Siri.
  • Say a command such as:
    • “Call [contact name]”
    • “Call [phone number]”
    • “Dial [phone number]”
  • Siri will confirm the command and initiate the call immediately.

Siri can distinguish between multiple contacts with similar names by prompting you to clarify.

Calling from Contacts or Recents

Location How to Call Best Use Case
Contacts App Scroll or use the search field to find a contact, then tap the call button. When you know the contact but want to browse details.
Recents Tab (Phone App) Select a recent call to quickly redial. For returning missed or recent calls.

Using the Keypad on Cellular Models

Apple Watch Series 3 and later with cellular capabilities include a keypad for dialing numbers manually:

  1. Open the Phone app on your watch.
  2. Scroll to or tap the Keypad tab.
  3. Enter the phone number using the on-screen digits.
  4. Tap the green phone icon to start the call.

This method is useful when calling numbers not saved in your contacts or when you want to dial an extension.

Additional Tips for Making Calls

  • Ensure connectivity: Your watch must be connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth/Wi-Fi or have an active cellular plan.
  • Adjust call audio: During a call, you can switch audio output between the watch speaker, paired Bluetooth headphones, or the iPhone.
  • Use headphones for privacy: The Apple Watch speakerphone is loud but not private; consider using AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones.
  • Emergency calls: Press and hold the side button to access Emergency SOS, enabling quick calls to emergency services.

Expert Insights on Making Calls Using the Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Researcher, TechForward Labs). The Apple Watch offers a seamless calling experience by integrating cellular connectivity and Bluetooth pairing with your iPhone. To make a call, users can simply raise their wrist, activate Siri by saying “Hey Siri, call [contact name],” or navigate through the Phone app on the watch face. Ensuring your watch is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular is essential for uninterrupted call quality.

Michael Torres (Senior UX Designer, Apple Watch Division). When designing the call functionality on the Apple Watch, ease of access and minimal user effort were priorities. Users can initiate calls directly from recent calls, contacts, or by dictating the number. The haptic feedback and clear audio output through the built-in speaker and microphone make it practical for quick communications without needing the iPhone in hand.

Sophia Martinez (Mobile Communications Specialist, Connected Devices Institute). For optimal call performance on the Apple Watch, users should familiarize themselves with the watch’s cellular plan options and Bluetooth settings. Calls can be made independently if the watch has cellular service, or through the paired iPhone if nearby. Additionally, managing call volume and microphone sensitivity via the watch’s settings enhances clarity during conversations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I make a call directly from my Apple Watch?
Open the Phone app on your Apple Watch, select a contact or use the keypad to enter a number, then tap the call button to initiate the call.

Can I make calls on my Apple Watch without my iPhone nearby?
Yes, if your Apple Watch has cellular capability and an active cellular plan, you can make calls independently without your iPhone nearby.

How do I use Siri to make a call on Apple Watch?
Raise your wrist and say, “Hey Siri, call [contact name]” or press and hold the Digital Crown, then speak your command to initiate the call.

Is it possible to make emergency calls from an Apple Watch?
Yes, you can press and hold the side button until the Emergency SOS slider appears, then drag it to call emergency services immediately.

How do I answer or end a call on my Apple Watch?
To answer, tap the green answer button when a call comes in. To end a call, tap the red end button on the watch screen.

Can I make international calls from my Apple Watch?
International calls are possible if your cellular plan supports them and your Apple Watch is connected via cellular or paired with your iPhone.
Making a call on an Apple Watch is a straightforward process that leverages the device’s seamless integration with your iPhone and cellular capabilities. Whether using the built-in Phone app, Siri voice commands, or recent contacts, the Apple Watch offers multiple convenient methods to initiate calls directly from your wrist. This functionality enhances communication by providing quick access to calls without needing to reach for your iPhone.

Key considerations include ensuring your Apple Watch is connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth or has an active cellular plan if it is a cellular model. The watch supports both audio calls through its built-in speaker and microphone, as well as the option to route calls through connected Bluetooth headphones for privacy and improved sound quality. Additionally, the ability to access contacts, favorites, and recent calls simplifies the dialing process, making it efficient and user-friendly.

In summary, the Apple Watch serves as a powerful communication tool that extends the calling capabilities of your iPhone. By understanding the various ways to make calls and the necessary connectivity requirements, users can fully utilize their Apple Watch to stay connected effortlessly. This enhances mobility and convenience, especially in situations where accessing a phone is impractical.

Author Profile

Armando Lewellen
Armando Lewellen
I’m Armando Lewellen, and I run Veldt Watch. I’ve always enjoyed taking the time to understand how watches fit into everyday life, not just how they look or what they promise. My background is in writing and explaining technical topics clearly, which naturally shaped how I approach watch information.

Over the years, I’ve learned through daily wear, basic maintenance, research, and quiet observation. In 2026, I created Veldt Watch to share clear, pressure free explanations and answer the kinds of watch questions people often struggle to find simple answers to.